Did you know about these connections between St. Vincent and St. Lucia?

By Demion McTair. Updated 8:45 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2021, and 11:11 a.m., Saturday, June 22, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Located some 20 miles from each other (32 kilometers), St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia are close.

The air travel distance between St. Vincent and St. Lucia is approximately 47 miles.

Updated: The ash plume from the April 13* La Soufrière volcanic eruption in St. Vincent is seen from St. Lucia. Photo: Sean M. Field.

On a clear day, St. Lucia can be seen from the north of St. Vincent and St. Vincent can be seen from the south of St. Lucia.

Both countries have active volcanoes named Soufrière. Both countries are mountainous in nature and are part of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles.

Apart from geographical proximity, however, both countries have notable historical and political connections.

St. Lucia seen in the distance from Richmond, St. Vincent. Photo: Richmond Vale Academy.

Historically, both St. Vincent and St. Lucia were colonized by the French and the British at different intervals.

Both countries are members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

Both OECS countries exported Bananas together under the Windward Islands Banana regime.

One of the most noteworthy historical connections between both countries, however, is that the founding father of St. Lucia was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The late Sir. John Compton (April 1925 – September 2007). Photo: St. Lucia News Online

Sir. John Compton, regarded as the father of the nation of St. Lucia and its longest-serving Prime Minister was born in Canouan, St. Vincent.

The major political parties of both counties are also connected. The Unity Labour Party (ULP) in St. Vincent is closely connected to the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP), while the United Workers Party (UWP) is closely connected to the New Democratic Party (NDP) in St. Vincent.

The political connection between both countries also runs deep because of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre which allows for free movement of people.

The freedom of movement regime set up through the Revised Treaty of Basseterre makes it easy for OECS nationals to visit, work, and even drive in other OECS countries.

The famous Pitons seen in the distance. Photo: St. Lucia is Paradise

At present, OECS citizens, including those from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia are granted an indefinite stay on entry, allowed to travel and enter the countries with a government-issued valid photo ID, not required to obtain a work permit, and are allowed to drive in a Member State on a valid driver’s license from another Member State.

See: The Revised Treaty of Basseterre.

Can you think of any other notable connections? Leave them in the comments section here or on our Facebook page.

This is a refashioning of an article written by Demion McTair in 2018 and published on Secrets of SVG.